What We Do
HistoricalSite.org is dedicated to making local history accessible, engaging, and relevant to everyone. We believe that every street corner has a story, every building has a past, and every community has a heritage worth preserving.
Our platform serves as an educational resource for anyone curious about the history of their neighborhood, city, or favorite places across America. Through carefully researched articles, historical guides, and community stories, we help you discover the fascinating past that surrounds you every day.
Our Mission
To connect people with the history of the places they love. We make historical research accessible by providing practical guides, preservation tips, and engaging stories that bring the past to life.
Whether you're researching your home's history, curious about an old building marker, or want to learn what businesses operated in your neighborhood decades ago, we provide the tools and knowledge to explore your local history.
Connection to When It Was
HistoricalSite.org is a companion project to When It Was, an innovative app that lets you discover what existed at any address throughout history. While this website focuses on educational content and historical guides, the When It Was app provides an interactive, gamified experience with:
- An interactive map showing historical businesses and landmarks
- A sliding timeline to see how locations changed over time
- User-contributed photos and stories
- A points and badges system for exploring local history
- Detailed records of businesses that operated at specific addresses
Think of HistoricalSite.org as your learning hub, and When It Was as your exploration tool. Together, they create a comprehensive ecosystem for discovering and preserving local history.
Why Local History Matters
Local history isn't just about dates and facts—it's about understanding the human story of how our communities developed. Every diner, department store, and movie theater that closed represents real people's livelihoods, gathering places where memories were made, and pieces of community identity.
By preserving these stories, we help communities understand their roots, appreciate their heritage, and make informed decisions about their future. We combat the "anywhere USA" phenomenon by celebrating what makes each place unique.
How You Can Contribute
Local history preservation is a community effort. Here's how you can get involved:
- Share your memories: If you remember businesses or landmarks that no longer exist, contribute your stories through the When It Was app.
- Submit historical photos: Old photos are invaluable for documenting how places looked in the past.
- Research and add data: Help us build the most comprehensive historical database by adding information about businesses and locations you know about.
- Spread the word: Share our articles and the When It Was app with others who appreciate local history.
Our Vision for the Future
We're starting with carefully selected cities across America, but our goal is to create a nationwide resource where anyone, anywhere in the United States, can discover the history of their address. As we grow, we'll continue adding:
- More comprehensive city guides and historical spotlights
- Interactive features for exploring historical maps and photos
- Expanded research guides and educational resources
- Partnerships with local historical societies and archives
- Tools for historians, educators, and researchers
Ready to Explore Your Neighborhood's History?
Download the When It Was app and start discovering what existed at your address throughout time.
Explore When It Was →Contact Us
Have questions, suggestions, or want to partner with us? We'd love to hear from you. Reach out through the When It Was app or check back soon for more contact options as we continue building this project.
Thank you for being part of this journey to preserve and celebrate local history across America.